Meanwhile, new Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka, in her first match as the new No. 1, dispatched Mona Barthel of Germany 6-1, 6-0.

Safarova saved the match points with groundstroke winners, broke Wozniacki, and went into the tie-breaker. From 3-3, Safarova produced three doubled-handed winners from the baseline against a tiring Wozniacki to race away to 6-3 and win on her first match point to end the contest after nearly 2½ hours. It was her second win over the Dane in three matches.

"I just kept fighting and I am so happy I didn't give up in the third set," Safarova said. "I turned the match around. It was amazing."

Safarova will meet Svetlana Kuznetsova in the third round on Thursday. Kuznetsova beat Russian compatriot Maria Kirilenko 6-4, 6-4 to continue her quest for her first Qatar Open title having played two finals.

Unseeded Shahar Peer of Israel stunned former No. 1 Jelena Jankovic 7-6 (4), 6-2 for the first time, and defending champion Vera Zvonareva retired while trailing Monica Niculescu of Romania 7-5, 3-2 because of pain in her left hip.